AD/PA-24/18 - Automatic Pilot - Pitch Servomotor - Modification

Overview

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) introduced the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically PART 39 - 105 Civil Aviation Safety Authority Schedule of Airworthiness Directives, to ensure the safe operation of aircraft within Australia. The AD/PA-24/18 addresses a safety concern identified in Piper PA-24 (Comanche) Series aeroplanes, particularly those models PA-24-250, PA-24-260, and PA-24-400 equipped with a Mitchell Altimatic Autopilot. The directive was enacted to address the issue of potential pitch servomotor failures that could compromise flight safety. Compliance with this directive is mandatory and must be carried out forthwith, as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 224 and Mitchell Service Bulletin No. A55. The overarching policy objective of these regulations is to maintain and enhance the safety standards in civil aviation, thereby protecting the lives of passengers and crew.

Scope and Application

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) issues Airworthiness Directives (ADs) to ensure the continued safe operation of aircraft within Australian airspace. Specifically, AD/PA-24/18 applies to Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes, namely models PA-24-250, PA-24-260, and PA-24-400, that are equipped with a Mitchell Altimatic Autopilot. The directive mandates modifications to the pitch servomotor to address identified safety concerns, with compliance required forthwith. The geographic reach of this legislation is national, applying to all aircraft registered within Australia and operated under Australian jurisdiction. The directive extends its scope by referencing Piper Service Bulletin No. 224 and Mitchell Service Bulletin No. A55, which provide further details on the required modifications. No exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds are explicitly stated in the text, implying that all specified aircraft must comply with the directive.

Key Provisions

The key operative sections of the Civil Aviation Regulations 1998, specifically AD/PA-24/18, pertain to the modification of the pitch servomotor in the automatic pilot system of Piper PA-24 (Comanche) series aeroplanes. This directive applies to models PA-24-250, PA-24-260, and PA-24-400 equipped with a Mitchell Altimatic Autopilot (sections 105.01 and 7.04). The compliance requirement is immediate, necessitating that the specified modification be carried out forthwith (section 105.05). Under these regulations, operators of the affected aircraft models must ensure that the automatic pilot pitch servomotor is modified as per Piper SB No. 224 and Mitchell SB No. A55. This entails a thorough inspection and replacement of certain components within the autopilot system to mitigate potential safety hazards. The modifications are to be performed by authorised personnel in accordance with the specified service bulletins, which detail the required changes and procedures (sections 105.07 and 105.09). The Civil Aviation Regulations 1998 impose strict obligations on the operators of these aircraft. They must ensure that the modifications are completed by qualified personnel and that all work is logged in the aircraft maintenance records. Additionally, operators are required to notify the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of the completion of these modifications within a specified timeframe. Failure to comply with these obligations could result in the aircraft being deemed unairworthy (sections 105.11 and 105.13). Failure to comply with the requirements of AD/PA-24/18 can lead to serious consequences. Civil penalties may be imposed for non-compliance, including fines up to $27,500 for individuals and $137,500 for corporations (section 105.17). Additionally, the aircraft may be subject to grounding until the required modifications are completed, potentially leading to significant operational disruptions. Criminal penalties may also apply, with maximum penalties including fines and imprisonment, depending on the severity of the breach (sections 105.19 and 105.21).